A covenant marriage is a type of marriage that is only available in Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana. In a covenant marriage the spouses promise that (1) they will participate in marriage counseling before filing for divorce; (2) agree to a longer waiting period before the divorce can be finalized; and (3) must allege fault grounds for the divorce (cannot seek a divorce on no-fault grounds such as irreconcilable differences).

Laws vary among states that recognize covenant marriages, but in a covenant marriage a spouse seeking a divorce generally must allege fault grounds such as:

• Adultery by the other spouse;

• Commission of a felony by the other spouse and sentence of imprisonment at hard labor or death;

• Abandonment by the other spouse for one year;

• Physical or sexual abuse of the spouse or of a child of either spouse; or

• The spouses have lived separate and apart for two years; or the spouses are judicially or legally separated and have lived separate and apart since the legal separation for (a) one year and six months if there is a minor child or children of the marriage; (b) one year if the separation was granted for abuse of a child of either spouse; or (c) one year in all other cases.

Covenant marriage is a special type of marriage that is not recognized in the state of Iowa. It is only available in Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana. In Iowa, marriage is governed by the state's standard marriage laws, which do not include provisions for covenant marriage. Couples in Iowa can seek a divorce without the need for marriage counseling, without extended waiting periods, and can file for divorce on no-fault grounds such as irreconcilable differences. If a couple in Iowa wishes to divorce, they are not required to allege fault grounds like adultery, abandonment, or abuse, although such grounds can still be cited in divorce proceedings if relevant. The concept of covenant marriage, with its additional requirements and restrictions, is not part of Iowa's legal framework for marriage and divorce.